AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP

Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity (RCHFH) believes that all individuals and families should have a safe, affordable place to call home. When you partner with us, you don’t just build a house. You build a better future with support, resources and opportunities available exclusively to the Habitat community. And when you finally turn the key on your beautiful, new front door, we’ll be there to celebrate with you.

 THE HOMEOWNERSHIP PROGRAM

When you build a home with Habitat, we provide the knowledge, experience and labor to help make the process not only doable, but enjoyable and affordable. We know homeownership can be tough, but we’re here to make sure you are equipped and empowered for success. We partner with individuals and families like you, who meet our qualifications, with no discrimination in selection. We want to invest in people and families who are willing to invest in themselves and their communities. 

The Process

We take a community approach to everything we do, because we believe that it yields the most, and best, results. That includes homeownership. If you are selected, you will become a Future Homeowner and you will work together with your future neighbors for support as you all journey through similar experiences.

Additionally, you will be required to participate in:

Homebuyer Education.  Future Homeowners that are accepted into the program will attend homebuyer education classes that cover topics such as financial management, budgeting, basic home maintenance, and responsible homeownership. 

Partnership Hours. All Future Homeowners invest at least 250 partnership hours while in the program. These hours can be completed on a build site or at our ReStore, and they help build not just your hard skills in construction and home maintenance, but they build your future community as well. When you help build your neighbor’s homes, they return the favor.

The Phases

There are 6 Phases of the Homeownership Program. It can take up to 18 months to complete the phases from application to closing. While it may seem like a significant period of time, it is designed for fitting in homebuyer education, partnership hours, and building your home. Learn more about the Homeownership Phases 

The Homes

RCHFH builds sustainable, energy-efficient, beautiful, single-family homes. Built with quality materials, they will serve individuals and families for many years to come.

The Purchase

At the end of the Homeownership Program, when the home build is complete, all required homebuyer education classes and partnership hours are done, you will then purchase your home with an affordable mortgage. Your total monthly mortgage payment, including homeowners’ insurance, property taxes and homeowner association dues combined will not exceed 30% of the homebuyers gross monthly income.

The Qualifications

To qualify for a home, you must meet three criteria’s:

1. You must have a need for affordable housing.

2. You must have the ability to pay for it, by meeting the 2024 Income Guideline

3. You must be Willing to Partner with us. 

The Requirements

  • Live or work in Rutherford County for the last 6 months.
  • Meet the income guidelines per family size. 
  • All qualifiable and verifiable income must be consistent for 2 full years.
  • Credit score of 620 (no collections, charge offs or judgements)
  • Bankruptcy (13 or 7) must be dismissed for 2 years.
  • Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident of the United States for at least 2 years.
  • Debt to Income ratio must be less than 40%.
  • Willing to complete at least 250 Partnership Hours
  • Attend all required Homebuyer Education classes and mandatory meetings.

Learn about more requirements for the Legacy Pointe 2025 Build

To learn more details and facts about the Homeownership Program, see our Frequently Asked Questions

To learn more about our model homes and Future Homeowner Dedications visit our Homeowner Gallery.

Legacy Pointe Homes

We are currently not accepting applications.

The next open application period is Fall 2025 

Get Ready for Homeownership!

Would you like to learn more about how to get ready and be prepared for the Habitat Homeownership Program? A great way to determine if you are ready is to attend the Get Ready Class!

The Get Ready Class is a free homeownership prep class that provides and creates a plan to help improve your finances, repair credit, reduce debt, learn money management and provide resources for successful homeownership. The classes are online only, by Zoom, class is every 2 weeks, and taught by Dominion Financial Management.

To register for class and detailed information, contact Dominion Financial at 615-220-5858 

Need Help Now? 

We know housing is a significant challenge for many in our community and unfortunately our program cannot serve everyone nor do we provide emergency housing.  Below are additional resources and links to housing counselors and other local housing programs.

Homeownership and Financial Counseling:

Dominion Financial Management – Financial and credit coaching! They have helped many improve their credit, lower debts, and implement monthly budgeting skills in order to qualify and become successful homeowners with Habitat or through other mortgage programs. Contact them at (615) 220-5858 or Home   Page | Dominion Financial Management, Inc.to schedule an appointment. 

Order a free copy of your credit report – www.annualcreditreport.com

Resources to find affordable housing:

TNHousingSearch.org –https://tnhousingsearch.org– Offers thousands of detailed, up-to-date listings of apartments and homes for rent throughout Tennessee. Plus, they specialize in helping people with special challenges, from affordability to disabilities to emergency housing.  Search by city, county, or ZIP code to find current listings in your area. Or call 1.877.428.8844 for bi-lingual, one-on-one assistance finding the right listing for your needs and budget.

211 Helpline – United Way of Rutherford County’s 24/7, 365-day information and referral helpline that provides individuals in need with help in times of crisis and beyond.  Call 211, or visit 211 | United Way of Rutherford and Cannon Counties (yourlocaluw.org)

MHA – The Murfreesboro Housing Authority offers public housing – Affordable Housing Page (mha-tn.org)

                                                                                                                       

We are pledged to the letter and spirit of the U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the nation. We encourage and support an affirmative advertising and marketing program in which there are no barriers to obtaining housing because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin.